Starbucks Unveils Festive 2025 Holiday Cup Designs

Starbucks revealed its eagerly awaited holiday cup designs, that will arrive in stores on November 6, 2025, which kicks off the holiday season for many customers. The cheerful cups come alongside the introduction of seasonal food and drink options.

This year, the designs emphasize green and red, reminiscent of the aprons worn by Starbucks baristas. This theme highlights the role of staff in creating a festive atmosphere. Kristy Cameron, the design team’s creative director, brings her personal touch and strong understanding of holiday traditions.

The cups boast vivid colors with ribbons and coffeehouse textures, encouraging customers to soak in a holiday mood. The ribbons, inspired by barista aprons, can also be found in store decorations with velvet ribbons and evergreen garlands. Stores are decorated in deep red and Starbucks green, mirroring the cup colors and themes.

Bridget Searcy, associate creative director, mentioned that decorations add energy and excitement, helping customers instantly feel the holiday mood as they walk in. Starbucks features two main cup designs this year: "Merry Apron Strings" and "Coffeehouse Plaid," each celebrating different holiday elements.

The "Merry Apron Strings" design, in green, showcases strings tied in a bow around the iconic siren, acknowledging baristas as Starbucks' holiday ambassadors. The red design highlights the moment baristas change apron colors, marking an important milestone on Starbucks' holiday calendar.

The "Coffeehouse Plaid" design includes traditional plaid patterns that bring to mind the coziness of wrapped gifts and holiday pajamas. These designs add a warm, nostalgic touch to the collection.

Green and red are prominent across both designs, reflecting the brand's identity and connecting with Starbucks' roots. Cold cups also feature the "Merry Apron Strings" design, perfect for holiday cold drinks like the Iced Sugar Cookie Latte and Cold Brew topped with seasonal foam.

Starbucks started their holiday cup tradition in 1997, replacing standard white cups with themed designs each year. The release of these cups is a cultural marker for many customers.

This year’s theme involves story-telling through cup designs and celebrates Starbucks' holiday memories. The designs honor baristas who bring the holiday spirit to life in stores every year. The classic colors in the 2025 cups tie back to the company’s legacy, with green symbolizing its history and red the festive season.

The holiday cup launch comes with a selection of seasonal treats, offering a sensory experience for customers in Starbucks stores. The tradition of new designs each year evokes holiday nostalgia for many, marking a new chapter in the company’s festive history.

The 2025 collection aims to create warmth through textures and colors, inviting customers to enjoy the holiday season in a Starbucks setting.